Head of BGN asks the public not to compare damaged schools with MBG: It's not fair, yes

Head of BGN Sudaryono / ANTARA FOTO / Muhammad Adimaja / WSJ

JAKARTA - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono asked the public not to argue between damaged schools and the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program as widely discussed on social media.

He explained that the school that was widely discussed was indeed damaged before the MBG Program, and now by President Prabowo has been repaired.

"So, actually it's quite simple if there are damaged schools that are found, just report it, there is a portal at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), it must be repaired. This is a problem that is not fair, yes, now it has been repaired 70 thousand, so if there is a damaged one, especially next to the MBG kitchen, it is shiny, clean, the color is blue, it is good compared to the others, this is something that I think is not, but it's okay, it's part of the dynamics of our democracy," said Sudaryono as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 29.

He emphasized that BGN is currently focusing on ensuring that MBG kitchens are clean, hygienic, safe, the food provided is in accordance with the adequacy of nutrition, and can be enjoyed by the beneficiaries, especially schoolchildren.

"So actually before I became the head of BGN, I often campaigned for this. This damaged school is just a report, there is a portal, it is solved, so I want to invite all of us to not complicate the problem. If you find a damaged school, it has been photographed, just report it, there is no need to compare it with the MBG kitchen because it is not connected. The MBG kitchen is built by a partner and there is a scheme, while the school repair is two different things," he explained.

However, he emphasized that the government continues to follow up on criticism, suggestions, and input from the public, and find solutions to every problem presented, including those related to nutrition, health, and education.

"Our problem is to find, we find, we find solutions, we solve it because our job is to solve problems. The problems of education, health, nutrition, various things are our duty. So, I thank you for raising all of that and at this moment of opportunity, in front of many cameras, I say that if you find something that is not right, say what it is, there is no need to spice it up," said Sudaryono.